NEWS| MASC featured by Vogue Italia

Hailed "Bright Young Things" by internationally renowned store, Selfridges & Co- featured in the store's carefully curated display of the UK's "most exciting young creators"- London based duo Duncan Shaw and Billy Yick have again added to their notable accolades with repeated features by Italian Vogue.

First picked as a showroom favourite by the magazine back in March, Vogue Italia have again profiled the label, though this time, getting behind the "MASC", uncovering the aesthesis of the pair's vision, and where they're going next.

Click here for the full feature, and learn more of the partners' beginnings, and unexpected Yves Saint Laurent connections.

POSTCARD FROM PARIS| MASC

Design duo MASC revealed their Spring/Summer 2013 collection exclusively to Vauxhall Fashion Scout in our exhibition space during London Fashion Week and the designers have followed us to Paris to display their collection at our Paris Showrooms.

The design label, created by Duncan Shaw and Billy Yick is internationally recognised for their strong yet undeniably feminine silhouettes and edgy folding technique.

1. What has the initial response been to your S/S13 collection?

Excellent. We've had more buyers and press than ever before. Our directional silhouettes and rich textures have attracted a lot of attention. A highlight is being featured on Vogue Italia's website.

2.  Is there a favourite piece/ look from the collection that you feel encapsulates your aesthetic?

This season our multi -cultural coat-dress has really excelled for us. It features folding techniques, leather inserts and modular cutting. It encapsulates our signature

aesthetic and direction.

3. What is the importance of showcasing your collection in Paris?

Paris is the historical heart of fashion and sits late in the fashion week schedule. This is where real business happens and the best buyers and press attend. For MASC, Paris brings and audience who appreciate our chic minimalism and tailoring.

4. As a platform, what support has VFS provided you with this season that you are most grateful for?

A fantastic venue in a convenient and impressive location. Alongside the effective marketing the VFS team do their upmost to remain professional and proactive. Thank you VFS.

5. What will you be doing in Paris outside of the VFS showroom- making the most of the surrounding city, or taking much deserved respite from the pace of recent weeks?

Visiting other showrooms, meeting friends, sampling the food and getting rest! The parties cannot be missed in Paris too.

By Cass Gowing, Editor

Images from MASC’s S/S13 Lookbook

EXHIBITION| MASC S/S13

Stocked within Selfridges with full control of their own branding, Duncan Shaw and Billy Yick formerly known as MASC are showcasing all week in the exhibition centre here at LFW. Spring/Summer 13 is the season they are representing in their show place, clean cut lines and block colour shaping is present. Having both studied at Nottingham University, the duo both spent time in Paris after graduation, MASC was created basing Paris as a stepping stone for the business that it is today.

Their S/S 13 pieces had a signature look to them, each in dark tones with soft colour paneling, cut to perfection. This brand certainly know  their selling points and how to progress even further as a brand. VFS managed to catch up with the two masterminds behind the brand, Duncan Shaw and Billy Yick.

What was the collection inspired by?

Geometry and folding especially the japenese craft has always been a big inspiration. This season we particularly looked at the construction of aeroplane wings.

How long did the collection take to make?

Not long as we have a great team behind us. Myself and Duncan develop all the ideas and then begin to drape and draw.

Do you have a lot of help within the studio, production wise?

We have pattern cutters that make the pieces together for us as well as a factory in East London that we also work with.

Text by Lora O’Callaghan (@loraocallaghan)
Images by Rebecca Andrews

NEWS| MASC named as one of CFE's new pioneer designers

Vauxhall Fashion Scout are thrilled that MASC has been named as one of the new designers for their Pioneer programme. The initiative begins in June and runs for six months, with each mentoring programme tailored specifically for each designer. Joining MASC as new Pioneer designers are Corrie Nielsen, Fanni Schiavoni, Marques Almeida and Teatum Jones. Whilst previous Pioneers include VFS's Elisa Palomino, Georgia Hardinge and Peter Pilotto.

VFS caught up with Duncan from MASC, 

"We are very proud to be one of only five women's wear labels successfully selected by the Centre For Fashion Enterprise to join their exclusive Pioneer Programme. We are thoroughly looking forward to the no-nonsense face-to-face diagnostic sessions with the lovely ladies from the CFE and it will be an honour to join the impressive portfolio of brands who have progressed through the programme". 

Duncan added, "Thank you to the CFE, Vauxhall Fashion Scout and all those who support us in our mission to build a MASC army. To see how we get on please sign up to our social media & newsletter through www.masc-studios.com for regular updates". 

We can't wait to follow MASC's progress under the initiative! Don't forget to follow @FashionScout for constant updates on all of our designers. 

Cass Gowing, Editor, 

Follow her on Twitter @CassiusIsOver

Images from MASC's AW12 Lookbook

INTERVIEW AND REVIEW| Bright Young Things designer Alice Lee

Back in January, a couple of Vauxhall Fashion Scout's designers were fortunate enough to be selected for Selfridge's Bright Young Things scheme. The initiative, which is designed to demonstrate the talents of emerging designers, showcase their collections in store, online and in Selfridges' window. Amongst the chosen fifteen were VFS designers T.Lipop, MASC and Alice Lee. 

Vauxhall Fashion Scout caught up with Alice from husband and wife duo Alice Lee to look back over the response to Bright Young Things and what it was like to be part of such a fantastic opportunity as a new designer.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout: How did it feel to be selected by Selfridges as part of their Bright Young Things initiative?

Alice: Fantastic to be chosen! We were really excited to get working on it.

VFS: How did you prepare for this massive opportunity?

A: The brief was really open – design and install a concept for your window that expresses your label. We wanted something visually beautiful, but also keen and modern. Our display was mostly about the magnifying discs, so all the work was actually on the nights of install. It took all three nights to hang those discs, longer than we thought.

VFS: What would you say was the highlight of your experience as part of BYT?

A: The highlight was seeing our designs in the window in Selfridges, people we hardly knew were getting in touch saying they had seen it.

VFS: How has the experience benefited you as a brand?

A: Press wise, I think immensely. We had a lot of online press coverage so it has helped to get our name out there. A two month window display at Selfridges over LFW was a great thing to be able to tell people. Also, having Selfridges as one of our stockists.

VFS: The Bright Young Things project highlights talents in fashion, art, design and food. If you had to choose your own Bright Young Thing for each category, what would they be?

A: Helen Turbe for her exquisite jewellery designs, photographer Gregory Crewdson for his mysterious atmospheric photography (it’s a balance between normal familiar life and strangeness in his pictures) and Andreia Chaves for her amazing shoes as each shoe is an individual piece of art.

To see more from Alice Lee, head to their website by clicking here.

By Editor Cass Gowing, 

T: @CassGowing

Images from Blink London

PARIS| MASC - Paris Showroom - A/W12

Having had an extremely successful part in the Vauxhall Fashion Scout exhibition at The Freemason's Hall for London Fashion Week, MASC designers Duncan Shaw and Billy Yick is heading to Paris to exhibit as part of the new Paris Showroom for Vauxhall Fashion Scout. 

MASC produces a classic British style with an ultimate contemporary twist and provides the womenswear market with an unbeatable blend of chic minimalism and beautiful elegance. 

For a preview of the A/W MASC collection at London Fashion Week, click here. 

All images by Phill Taylor-  (www.philltaylor.com)